Flu and Pneumonia

Flu and pneumonia are seasonal threats that can result in illness or hospitalization. Protect yourself with a flu shot from your doctor, pharmacy or other provider. Flu vaccinations are also available at county health departments, but please check ahead for availability.

Surveillance and Advisories

This year, flu shots are recommended for everyone six months of age and older, especially those at risk from influenza complications: young children, adults 50 and older, pregnant women, and those with a chronic illness.

Prices at county health departments: Flu shots for adults and children six months and older are $30. Flu nasal mist is $35.
High-dose flu shots, designed to boost immunity for those 65 and over, are available for $55, covered by Medicare part B.
Pneumonia vaccination costs $83.
Those eligible for CHIP and the Vaccines for Children program can receive their flu shot for $10. Please check a county health department near you for availability.

The MSDH accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and the State and School Employees’ Health Insurance Plan (AHS). For those 18 and under, the MSDH will bill Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and all private health insurers for children’s vaccines.

Protective hygiene: Remember to cover your cough, wash hands often and thoroughly, and stay home if you're sick to protect yourself and others. Find out more »

Pneumonia: Pneumonia is the deadliest complication from flu. Over 600 Mississippians a year die from flu and pneumonia.
The pneumonia vaccine can reduce the severity of pneumonia and the chance of hospitalization or death. If you have not had a recent pneumonia vaccination, check with your doctor or county health department to get one.

Prevent the Flu

One of the most common ways to catch the flu is by touching the eyes or nose with contaminated hands. Handwashing prevents the spread of other communicable diseases as well: hepatitis A, meningitis, and infectious diarrhea among others.

Protect Those at Risk

Children six months of age and older.

Children, especially those six months through four years old, are more vulnerable to flu and its complications. Vaccination for all children and adolescents through 18 years of age is recommended to help protect them.

The flu shot is not approved for use in children less than 6 months old.

Adults 50 and older.

People over the age of 50 are the largest group in the nation struck by serious or life-threatening cases of influenza.
Flu also puts seniors at much greater risk for pneumonia. Pneumonia is a significant risk to the life and health of older adults,
and hospitalizes more seniors each year than influenza.

If you are over 50, take steps to get your flu and pneumonia shots this season. The pneumonia vaccination won't prevent pneumonia,
but it can greatly reduce the severity and deadliness of pneumonia. Flu shots will be available from
private providers and your local health department. Your health department clinic can also supply you
with a pneumonia shot alone, or when you get your flu shot.

Women who will be pregnant during the flu season.

Pregnancy can change the immune system in the mother, and affect the heart and lungs. This raises the risk of
medical complications in pregnant women who get the flu, and makes hospitalization more likely. Early vaccination
is especially important for expectant mothers who already have existing medical problems.

If you are an adult suffering from a chronic illness such as diabetes, or a condition like HIV that weakens your immune system,
a flu shot is especially important.

Chronic illness greatly increases the risk of getting the flu, having it longer, and suffering from more serious
medical problems as a result of it. People with diabetes are almost three times more likely to die from flu complications.

Early prevention is essential. Influenza spreads from November to April — getting your flu shot
before then gives you the best chance of staying healthy.

Residents of nursing homes or other older adults living in a group residence

Caregivers and household contacts of children less than six months old.

Anyone with a compromised immune system due to HIV disease or medications such as chemotherapy

Healthy adults and children who live with or care for young children (under 5 years old) or older adults (over 50 years old)

Healthy adults and children who live with or care for anyone with a medical condition that could put them at higher risk for flu complications

Who should get a flu shot?

Everyone six months and older should get a flu shot. Flu shots are especially recommended for:

Adults 50 years and older

Children ages 6 months to four years, especially those under two years old

All women who will be pregnant during the influenza season

Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities

Children and adults with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or other health disorders

Anyone with a compromised immune system due to HIV disease or medications such as chemotherapy

Health-care workers involved in direct patient care

Adolescents and children over 6 months of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged less than 6 months, or adults over 50

Healthy adults and children who live with or care for anyone with a medical condition that could put them at higher risk for flu complications

Who should NOT get a flu shot?

A flu shot is not recommended if you:

Have a severe allergy to eggs

Have had a severe reaction to a flu shot in the past

Have had Guillain-Barre syndrome in the 6 weeks following a previous flu shot

Is it safe?

The influenza vaccine cannot cause the flu. Flu vaccine is made from
killed influenza virus that cannot give you the flu. Almost all people who receive an influenza vaccination have no serious problems from it.

How long does it take for a flu shot to start offering protection?

It takes about two weeks to build the antibodies needed to protect you from the influenza virus.

Can the flu cause other health complications?

The flu can make people more likely to develop bacterial pneumonia, especially when chronic medical conditions are present such as congestive heart failure,
asthma or diabetes. If you're in one of the groups at higher risk for pneumonia (people 50 and older, the very young, and people with special conditions such as
heart or lung disease, diabetes, kidney failure, HIV and certain types of cancer), check with your doctor or health clinic about getting the PPV (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine)
when you get your regular flu shot. PPV will provide extra protection against pneumonia and other complications from the flu.

How can I tell whether I have the flu?

The flu's symptoms come on suddenly and can include a high fever and severe aches and pains.
A cold, however, rarely causes a fever or severe aches and pains.

Symptoms

Cold

Flu

Fever

Usually none

High fever (102 - 104° F); lasts 3 to 4 days

Headache

Usually none

Headaches can be strong

General aches, pains

Very little

Often severe aches and pains

Fatigue, weakness

Mild

Fatigue for up to 3 weeks

Extreme exhaustion

Never

Exhaustion begins early and remains

Stuffy nose

Nose usually stuffy

Sometimes

Sneezing

Sneezing is common

Sometimes

Sore throat

Throat is usually sore

Sometimes

Chest discomfort, cough

Sometimes

Chest discomfort and coughing can be severe

Complications

Sinus congestion or earache

Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening

Prevention

None

Annual vaccination or antiviral medicines; see your doctor

Treatment

Only temporary relief of symptoms

Antiviral medicines: see your doctor

What can I do if I get the flu?

If you develop the flu, it is advisable to get plenty of rest, drink a lot of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
You can take medications to relieve the symptoms of flu (but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms,
particularly fever, without first speaking to your doctor.)

If your flu symptoms are unusually severe (for example, if you are having trouble breathing), you should consult your
health-care provider right away.

If you are at special risk from complications of flu, you should consult your health-care provider when your flu symptoms begin.
This includes people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, or children. Your doctor may choose
to use certain antiviral drugs to treat the flu.

The same medications that can be used to prevent flu infections
can also help decrease the length of a flu episode by about one day. Contact your physician at
the early onset of flu symptoms to see if you are an appropriate candidate to receive this treatment.
For those in generally good health, plenty of bed rest and fluids can be highly beneficial to a speedy recovery.

Flu Facts

Influenza is a disease of the lungs only. Its main symptoms are fever, headache, extreme tiredness,
coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches, but usually not stomach nausea. "Stomach flu"
is not related to influenza, and is not affected by the flu vaccine.

Not every runny nose is the flu. The flu has many symptoms that the common cold does. It's not likely
that you have the flu unless the symptoms are more severe than the usual cold or runny nose.

This year's vaccine offers the best protection. The current year's vaccine is carefully
matched to the currently active form of the influenza virus. The vaccine is effective for only a few months,
so vaccinations from past years will not help protect you from illness this flu season.

You can be vaccinated against pneumococcal virus at the same time you get your flu vaccination. This extra
shot can protect you for five years or more from serious respiratory diseases caused by varieties of pneumococcal virus. Check with
your doctor or local health department to see if this vaccination is right for you.